About Me

When not nosing, tasting, drinking and reading about malt whisky, I own one of Israel's premiere boutique coaching practices, specializing in small businesses and executive teams.
Trained in the law, I was an international law attorney and took part in Israel's peace negotiations with the Palestinians, as well as representing my country at the UN for parts of the negotiations on the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Later I was appointed to the military bench.
My favorite thing, other than whisky, is teaching.
You can contact me through the social media buttons above or by email: michael(at)maltandoak.com, replacing the (at) with an @.

Statement of Integrity and Guidelines

Malt and Oak is an independent whisky blog, offering my own views, opinions and news from the world of malt whisky.
These are my guidelines:

1. All whisky reviews published are of whiskies I have personally tasted and noted. Guest bloggers only write about their own personal tastings.

2. With the exception of official whisky samples, I accept no consideration whatsoever from any distillery, bottler, distributor, drink company or store for my opinions.

3. I maintain strict impartiality and objectivity in tasting all whiskies, not least when tasting official samples. Any review of official whisky samples sent to me will be so noted in the post.

4. I will accept invitations to tastings, events and official visits, and full disclosure will be made on any tasting notes and articles resulting from these events or visits.

5. Any sample received over 30 ml in volume is shared with fellow whisky bloggers. In any event, no sample larger than 100 ml will be accepted.

6. No advertisements promoting specific brands will be accepted.

7. I will answer any inquiry by my readers as quickly and as fully as possible.

8. Should I give a link purchase the reviewed whisky, it will be given free of any commercial interest. The link given will always point to cheapest selling price I found on the web. No commission is paid, nor any other consideration given, for such link.

9. As of July 2017, I serve as Douglas Laing’s Israel brand ambassasdor. As such, I will obviously not be posting reviews of Douglas Laing products.

Clynelish 14 Review – Bridging Two Blog Series

I’m long overdue on this next series, looking at some of the basic expressions out there on the market. Coming off a series of independent Clynelish bottlings, it’s fitting to start the ‘back to basics’ series with the Clynelish official bottling.

In 1991, United Distillers (later the heart of Diageo) released a series of entry level malts of distilleries not sporting an official bottling, which came to be known as the Flora and Fauna series due to the pictures of plants and animals on the label. Among the 22 distilleries bottled in that first series, was also a 14 year old Clynelish bottling, bearing the Clynelish/Brora Scottish wildcat. In 1997, a vintage 1982 Flora and Fauna cask strength limited edition was released at 57.7% ABV.

Photo Credit: whiskyauctioneer.com

Besides the Flora and Fauna bottlings, seven expressions were bottled under the Rare Malts Selection label between 1995 and 1998, all between 22 and 24 years of age.

The Flora and Fauna bottling proved so popular, that in 2004 Diageo released an official 14 year old bottling, and later added a Distiller’s Edition, finished in Oloroso Seco casks. Additionally, in 2009 Diageo released a one-off Friends of the Classic Malts 12 year old edition, fully matured in sherry casks.

Photo Credit: thewhiskyexchange.com

Clynelish 14 (46% ABV)

Appearance: Gold, rather quick legs but a ring remains sending a leg down the glass every so often.

Nose: Waxy lemon, like car wax, honey, clove, baked bread. The waxiness strengthens with time in the glass and some dusty spice appear with notes of honeysuckle.

Palate: Citrus and light spices with pepper, allspice and a light sourness in a full bodied liquid.

Linger: Honey sweetness on the tongue, waxy dryness in the mouth and spice tingles in the throat in a medium and pleasant linger.

Conclusion

To me this is a staple malt in any whisky drinking collection and a basic every day dram. It won’t blow you off your chair, but it will also never disappoint you.